System for Monitoring Component of Operating Machine

ABSTRACT

A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/308,766, filed Mar. 17, 2009, which is a U.S. National Stageapplication of and claims priority to International Application No.PCT/JP2007/063600, filed Jul. 6, 2007, which claims priority to JapaneseApplication No. 2006-190172, filed Jul. 11, 2006. The entire contents ofthe above applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring components of aworking machine.

BACKGROUND ART

As working machines there are known various types of working machinessuch as, for example, hydraulic shovels and wheel loaders and the like,or various types of haulage vehicle such as dump trucks or the like. Yetfurther demands for exhaust gas purification are being made upon suchworking machines. Therefore purification of their exhaust gases ispursued by using components which are designed and manufactured athigher accuracy, and by controlling their engines at a higher level.

As one example, the case of filters will be explained. In order toperform high accuracy engine control, good quality fuel and good qualityengine oil are required. Due to this, high performance fuel filters andoil filters are used, which can eliminate more minute dirt and moistureand so on.

Since these kinds of high performance filters are higher priced ascompared to conventional filters, counterfeit products and poor qualitygoods can easily appear upon the market. If an inferior or counterfeitproduct is used, it is not possible to get the anticipated engineperformance, and it is not possible to obtain purified exhaust gases.Moreover, if the use of low performance or counterfeit products iscontinued, there is also a possibility of causing damage to the fuelinjection device or to the engine itself, and the service life may bedeteriorated.

In recent years, IC tags which are capable of wireless communicationhave come into use, and have been proposed for performing authenticationprocessing and goods management. As a first prior art technique, it isknown to use an IC tag as a remote key, and to cancel locking of anengine when a user who possesses the IC tag approaches a vehicle (referto Patent Document #1). And, as a second prior art technique, it isknown to attach IC tags to books, and to prevent books which have notbeen paid for being carried out of a shop by exchanging signals with theIC tags at a security gate (refer to Patent Document #2).

As a third prior art technique, a component management informationsystem is also known in which memories which store component informationare attached to components in advance, and in which it is arranged forit to be possible to build data bases which are at the same level on theside of a machine and on the side of an information manager by, when acomponent different from the one shipped from the factory is fitted to amachine, transmitting information about that component from the machineto a server (refer to Patent Document #3).

As a fourth prior art technique, it is also known to attach to a filtera tag in which information is stored which shows that the filter is agenuine product, and to decide whether or not a filter is a genuineproduct by a controller reading out the information which is stored inthe tag (refer to Patent Document #4).

-   Patent Document #1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication    2000-233719;-   Patent Document #2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication    2005-135313;-   Patent Document #3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication    2004-062675;-   Patent Document #4: Japanese Patent Publication 2002-531237.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

With these prior art techniques described in the above documents,although IC tags which are capable of wireless communication are used,it is not possible to apply them just as they are to componentmanagement for a working machine. In the first prior art technique,since only remote actuation of engine locking is performed, accordinglyit is fundamentally possible to release the engine locking with only oneIC tag. By contrast, components of many different types are used upon aworking machine, and moreover, for each type of component, a largenumber of genuine components exist. In other words, with workingmachines, for the same type of component, it is possible to use manydifferent ones even if their manufacturing serial numbers are different,so that there is a one-to-many relationship.

With the second prior art technique, no decision is made as to whetherthe books to which the IC tags are attached are real or fake, since thetechnique is only used for managing whether or not accurate track hasbeen kept.

The third prior art technique is only for reflecting the currentcomponent structure in the shifting machine in the data base upon theserver, and there is no aspect of monitoring whether or not they aregenuine products. And, with the fourth prior art technique, the decisionas to whether or not the components are genuine products is made on theside of the machine, so that again there is no aspect of the managementdevice monitoring, over the network, whether or not they are genuineproducts.

Furthermore, since with none of these prior art techniques is anyconsideration given to countermeasures in the event of an IC tag itselfbeing illegally copied, accordingly it is not possible to monitorwhether or not the components are genuine products, and it is notpossible to take appropriate measures.

Moreover, with the various prior art techniques described above, thelocation in which the IC tags are used is the same as, or is close to,the location in which the authentication which uses the IC tags isperformed, and absolutely no consideration is given to managing aplurality of IC tags in separated locations in a coordinated manner.

The present invention has been conceived in consideration of theproblems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a systemfor monitoring components for a working machine, in which it is arrangedfor it to be possible to decide whether or not the components which areused for a working machine are genuine components, and to detect the useof components other than genuine components; and moreover to detect theuse of a wireless tag to which component identification information hasbeen illegally copied by checking component identification informationwhich has been used once, and to issue a warning in that event. Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a system for monitoringcomponents for a working machine which is capable of managing componentswith a comparatively simple control structure, by deciding whether ornot the components are genuine at the time that they are exchanged. Yetfurther objects of the present invention will become clear from thefollowing description of embodiments thereof.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to one aspect of the present invention, a component monitoringsystem for a working machine is a system for monitoring a componentwhich can be exchangeably mounted to a working machine, comprising acontrol device which is provided to the working machine, and amanagement device which is connected to this control device via acommunication network so as to be capable of mutual communicationtherewith, wherein: a wireless tag, in which first componentidentification information for identifying this component is stored, isprovided in advance to the component; the control device comprises: achecking timing detection means for detecting whether or not a checkingtiming, which has been set in advance, has arrived; and a componentidentification information acquisition means which, if the checkingtiming has arrived, acquires the first component identificationinformation from the wireless tag via an information reading means, andtransmits the first component identification information which has beenacquired to the management device via the communication network; and themanagement device comprises: a component information management meansfor managing second component identification information related togenuine components; a component monitoring means which decides whetherthe first component identification information which has been receivedfrom the control device and the second component identificationinformation which is managed by the component information managementmeans agree with one another or not, and which, if the first componentidentification information and the second component identificationinformation do not agree with one another, outputs a decision result tothe effect of non-agreement; and an updating means which, if it has beendecided by the component monitoring means that the first componentidentification information and the second component identificationinformation agree with one another, updates the contents stored in thecomponent information management means so that the second componentidentification information, for which this agreement has been decided,is not re-used by the component monitoring means.

In a preferred embodiment, the checking timing detection means detectsthe checking timing if either the component is exchanged, or starting ofthe engine is requested.

In a preferred embodiment, the control device comprises an abnormalstate control means which acquires the decision result to the effect ofnon-agreement from the management device, and outputs abnormal statedetection information on the basis of this decision result which hasbeen acquired.

In a preferred embodiment, a product number information item forspecifying the type of the component is included in the first and secondcomponent identification information; and the component monitoring meanschecks the product number information item which is included in thefirst component identification information, and the product numberinformation item which is included in the second componentidentification information.

In a preferred embodiment, a product number information item forspecifying the type of the component, and a manufacturing serial numberwhich is specific to the component, are included in the first and secondcomponent identification information; and the component monitoring meanschecks the product number information item and the manufacturing serialnumber which are included in the first component identificationinformation, and the product number information item and themanufacturing serial number which are included in the second componentidentification information.

In a preferred embodiment, the component identification informationacquisition means transmits a chassis number for identifying the workingmachine to the management device in correspondence with the firstcomponent identification information; and the component informationmanagement means manages the chassis number in correspondence with thesecond component identification information.

In a preferred embodiment, in the first and second componentidentification information, there are included a product numberinformation item for specifying the type of the component, and amanufacturing serial number which is specific to the component; and thecomponent monitoring means checks the product number information itemand the manufacturing serial number which are included in the firstcomponent identification information, and the product number informationitem and the manufacturing serial number which are included in thesecond component identification information, and: deletes themanufacturing serial number which is included in the second componentidentification information from the component information managementmeans via the updating means, if the product number information itemsand the manufacturing serial numbers both agree with one another; andnotifies the control device, if either the product number informationitems or the manufacturing serial numbers do not agree with one another.

In a preferred embodiment, in the first and second componentidentification information, there are included a product numberinformation item for specifying the type of the component, and amanufacturing serial number which is specific to the component; and thecomponent identification information acquisition means transmits achassis number for identifying the working machine to the managementdevice in correspondence with the first component identificationinformation; and the component monitoring means transmits to the controldevice, if any of: (1) the product number information item included inthe first component identification information and the product numberinformation item included in the second component identificationinformation do not agree with one another; or (2) the manufacturingserial number included in the first component identification informationand the manufacturing serial number included in the second componentidentification information do not agree with one another; or (3) if thecomponent information management means is holding the chassis number incorrespondence with the manufacturing serial number included in thesecond component identification information, if the chassis number whichis held in correspondence with the manufacturing serial number includedin the second component identification information and the chassisnumber corresponding to the first component identification informationdo not agree with one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the component is a component for an engine,which is used by the engine, and the information reading means isprovided in the vicinity of the component.

In a preferred embodiment, when the component is supplied to the workingmachine, the updating means updates the second component identificationinformation which is stored in the component information managementmeans to its newest state by acquiring the newest second componentidentification information related to this component which is supplied.

In a preferred embodiment, the abnormal state detection information iswarning information.

In a preferred embodiment, the abnormal state detection information isinformation for limiting the operation of the working machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the abnormal state detection information isinformation for limiting the output of an engine of the working machine.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a componentmonitoring system for a working machine is a management device which isconnected via a communication network to a control device provided tothe working machine so as to be capable of mutual communicationtherewith, wherein: a wireless tag, in which is stored first componentidentification information for identifying a component which can beexchangeably mounted to the working machine, is provided in advance tothis component; and the first component identification information isacquired by the control device; and comprising: a component informationmanagement means for managing second component identificationinformation related to genuine components; a component monitoring meanswhich receives the first component identification information which hasbeen acquired and transmitted by the control device, decides whether thesecond component identification information which is managed by thecomponent information management means and the first componentidentification information agree with one another or not, and, if thefirst component identification information and the second componentidentification information do not agree with one another, outputs adecision result to the effect of non-agreement; and an updating meanswhich, if it has been decided by the component monitoring means that thefirst component identification information and the second componentidentification information agree with one another, updates the contentsstored in the component information management means so that the secondcomponent identification information, for which this agreement has beendecided, is not re-used by the component monitoring means.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to compare togetherthe first component identification information which has been read outfrom the wireless tag and the second component identificationinformation which is managed by the component information managementmeans, and it is possible to detect if the two of them do not agree withone another. Accordingly, if some counterfeit product or the like otherthan a genuine component is used, it is possible, for example, to emit awarning to the user or to limit the operation of the working machine, onthe basis of the decision result which is outputted from the managementdevice to the effect that these two items of identification informationdo not agree with one another. Moreover, it is possible to preventdamage or the like being caused to the various portions of the workingmachine by the use of this counterfeit product or the like, before iteven happens. Furthermore since, according to the present invention, thecontents stored in the component information management means is updatedso that second component identification information, for which it hasbeen decided that it agrees with first component identificationinformation, is not re-used by the component monitoring means,accordingly it is possible to prevent the re-use of componentidentification information which has once been authenticated, before iteven happens.

According to the present invention, the detection of the checking timingis performed by the control device, and the decision as to whether ornot the first component identification information and the secondcomponent identification information agree with one another and so on isperformed by the management device. Accordingly, it is possible tomonitor component groups which are used with each of a plurality ofworking machines in a unified manner with the management device, so thatthe convenience of use is enhanced. Moreover, it is possible to decidewhether or not groups of components for a plurality of working machinesare genuine components, only by updating the second componentidentification information which is stored by the component informationmanagement means to its newest version.

According to the present invention, if the product number informationand the manufacturing serial numbers are both in agreement, themanufacturing serial number which is included in the second componentidentification information is deleted from the component informationmanagement means; while, if either the product number information or themanufacturing serial numbers are not in agreement, then it is possibleto limit the operation of the working machine. Accordingly since, if agenuine component has once been used, the manufacturing serial number ofthis genuine component is deleted from the component informationmanagement means, this implies that it is not possible to use a wirelesstag to which the manufacturing serial number of this genuine componenthas been illegally copied. Due to this, even if information in awireless tag which is provided to a genuine component is illegallycopied, it is possible to prevent the usage of a counterfeit product orthe like which possesses this illegal wireless tag, before it evenhappens.

Since, according to the present invention, it is possible to distinguishwhether or not a component is a genuine component at the time ofcomponent exchange, accordingly it is possible to manage whether or notcomponents which are attached to a working machine are real or false, inan appropriate manner.

According to the present invention, all these cases are detected: if theproduct number information which is included in the first componentidentification information and the product number information which isincluded in the second component identification information do not agreewith one another; or if the manufacturing serial number which isincluded in the first component identification information and themanufacturing serial number which is included in the second componentidentification information do not agree with one another; or if thechassis number which is set in correspondence with the manufacturingserial number included in the second component identificationinformation and the chassis number which is set in correspondence withthe first component identification information do not agree with oneanother. Accordingly, if the same manufacturing serial number has beentransmitted from control devices of separate working machines to themanagement device, it is possible to notify at least one or the other ofthe control devices to the effect that an abnormal state has beendetected. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the state of affairsoccurring that a counterfeit product or the like possessing a wirelesstag which has been illegally copied is fitted to a different workingmachine than the working machine upon which the genuine component isbeing used.

According to the present invention, when a component is supplied to aworking machine, the second component identification information whichis stored in the component information management means is updated toits newest state by the updating means acquiring the newest secondcomponent identification information related to this component which hasbeen supplied. Accordingly, for example, before a component which isshipped from the component supply factory or the like is fitted to theworking machine, it is possible to update the second componentidentification information which is managed by the component informationmanagement means to its newest state, so that it is possible to preventthe usage of counterfeit products or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory figure showing the overall concept of anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a general structural figure of the systems included in thiscomponent monitoring system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a working machine;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wireless tag and ofa reader/writer;

FIG. 5 is a figure for explanation of a case in which communication isperformed with wireless tags of a plurality of filters;

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a component ID management table;

FIG. 7 is a functional structural diagram of a component supplymanagement server;

FIG. 8 is a functional structural diagram of a management server;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for component ID updating processing;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for component monitoring processing;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for component monitoring processing according toa second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for component monitoring processing according toa third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for component monitoring processing according toa fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for component ID updating processing;

FIG. 15 is a structural diagram of a component ID management table; and

FIG. 16 is an explanatory figure for a component ID management tableaccording to a fifth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatoryfigure showing the overall concept of the present invention. Thecomponent monitoring system for a working machine according to thisembodiment may, for example, include a working machine management device1, a working machine 2 such as a wheel loader or a truck or the like,and a component supply management apparatus 3.

The working machine management device 1 is a device which, for aplurality of working machines 2, manages whether or not genuinecomponents are being utilized in a unified manner. This working machinemanagement device 1 may, for example, comprise a checking means 1A, anabnormal state detection means 1B, a component identificationinformation storage means 1C, and a component identification informationupdating means 1D. Here, the checking means 1A and the abnormal statedetection means 1B correspond to the “component monitoring means” of theClaims.

The checking means 1A is a device which compares together firstcomponent identification information which has been received from theworking machine 2 and second component identification information whichis stored in the component identification information storage means 1C,and decides whether or not they agree with one another. And the abnormalstate detection means 1B is a device which, on the basis of the resultof checking by the checking means 1A, outputs information (a signal, acommand, or data) which specifies that an abnormal state has beendetected. For example, if the first component identification informationand the second component identification information do not agree withone another, this abnormal state detection means 1B may notify to theabnormal state control means 2C the fact that some component other thana genuine component is being used.

The component identification information storage means 1C is a devicewhich manages the second component identification information, which isstored by wireless tags 5 which are attached to genuine components. Thiscomponent identification information storage means 1C stores, for eachof the working machines 2, the product numbers and so on of the genuinecomponents which should be used for that working machine 2. It should beunderstood that, for the convenience of explanation, in the followingdescription, this component identification information will beabbreviated as the “component ID” (i.e. the Parts Identification).Accordingly, for example, the first component identification informationwill be termed the “first component ID”, the second componentidentification information will be termed the “second component ID”, thecomponent identification information storage means 1C will be termed thecomponent ID storage means 1C, and the component identificationinformation updating means 1D will be termed the component ID updatingmeans 1D.

Here by a genuine component, is meant a component which has beensupplied by an entity which possesses a valid authority related to themanufacture and sale of components 4. For example, a component 4 whichis supplied the manufacturer of the working machine 2, or by an entitywhich has received permission from the manufacturer of the workingmachine 2, is a genuine component. A component 4 other than a genuinecomponent corresponds to a counterfeit product, no matter whether itsperformance may be superior or inferior.

The component ID updating means 1D is a device which updates the secondcomponent ID which is stored in the component ID storage means 1C to itsnewest state. This component ID updating means 1D may, for example,update the stored contents of the component ID storage means 1C on thebasis of update data which has been notified from the component supplymanagement apparatus 3. In other words, when some new genuine componentshave been shipped from a component supply factory or the like, thecomponent ID updating means 1D may acquire second component IDs relatedto these new genuine components, and may reflect them in the contentsstored in the component ID storage means 1C. By doing this, before acomponent 4 is fitted to a working machine 2, the contents stored in thecomponent ID storage means 1C can be updated to its newest state.Moreover, as will become clear from the embodiments describedhereinafter, the component ID updating means 1D may delete a secondcomponent ID related to a component which has been already used by aworking machine 2 from the component ID storage means 1C, or mayestablish a correspondence with information (a utilized flag or thelike) which shows that a second component ID, related to a componentwhich has been used, has been utilized. By doing this, it is possible toprevent an anomalous state of affairs from occurring in which acomponent 4 which has been used for any one of the working machines 2 issimultaneously being used for another one of the working machines 2 aswell. In other words, even if a wireless tag 5 which is placed upon agenuine component 4 at the distribution stage is illegally copied, andthe illegally copied wireless tag is attached to a counterfeit product,then it is still possible to prevent that counterfeit product from beingused for any other working machine.

The working machine 2 may, for example, comprise various components 4, achecking timing detection means 2A, a component ID acquisition means 2B,an antenna 2B1, an abnormal state control means 2C, an engine 2D, and soon. Here, the components 4 are various components which can beexchanged; fuel filters, oil filters, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulicpumps, and hydraulic control valves may be cited as examples thereof.These components 4 are provided with wireless tags 5 in advance.

The “control device” may, for example, comprise the checking timingdetection means 2A, the component ID acquisition means 2B, and theabnormal state control means 2C. The checking timing detection means 2Adetects whether or not the timing has arrived for deciding whether ornot a component 4 is a genuine component. As this checking timing, forexample, the time to exchange the component 4 or the time that theengine switch is actuated or the like may be cited.

The component ID acquisition means 2B reads out the first component IDstored in the wireless tag 5 via the antenna 2B1, and transmits thisfirst component ID to the working machine management device 1. And thecomponent ID acquisition means 2B may set up a correspondence between achassis number which is set for the working machine 2 in advance, andthe first component ID, and may transmit this to the working machinemanagement device 1.

The antenna 2B1 is fitted at a position in the vicinity of the component4, so that its distance from the wireless tag 5 is a predetermineddistance. And the abnormal state control means 2C performs predeterminedoperations on the basis of notification from the working machinemanagement device 1. As such predetermined operations, for example,operations such as prohibiting the starting of the engine 2D, limitingthe rotational speed of the engine 2D, and so on may be cited.

The component supply management apparatus 3, for example, may beprovided at a component supply factory or the like, and manages thesupply state of new or recycled components 4 which are supplied to themarket. This component supply management apparatus 3 comprises acomponent supply information management means 3A. The component supplyinformation management means 3A manages various types of informationrelated to the supply of the components 4, such as, for example, theproduct numbers, the manufacturing serial numbers, the buyers, the typesof applicable device, the numbers manufactured, the day of manufacture,the day of shipment, and so on of these components 4. And the componentsupply information management means 3A transmits information related tocomponents 4 which have been newly shipped to the working machinemanagement device 1.

While the structure of the wireless tags 5 will be describedhereinafter, a wireless tag 5, for example, may start according to aradio wave which it has received from the external antenna 2B1, and maytransmit a component ID which has been stored in that tag 5 in advanceto the exterior. The wireless tag 5, for example, may be affixed to agenuine component 4 at the component manufacturing facility or the like.Information such as, for example, a product number and/or amanufacturing serial number may be stored in the wireless tag 5.

If the component 4 is a genuine component, the first component ID withinits wireless tag 5 and some second component ID which is stored in thecomponent ID storage means 1C will agree with one another. This isbecause, in the case of a genuine component, the component ID which isthe same as the component ID written in the wireless tag 5 istransmitted from the component supply management apparatus 3 to theworking machine management device 1, and is stored in the component IDstorage means 1C.

If the component 4 is not a genuine component but is a counterfeitproduct or the like, then it is considered to be very likely that eitherfrom the start no wireless tag 5 will be provided thereto, or that, evenif a wireless tag 5 is provided, a correct component ID will not bewritten therein. In the former case, in other words in the case of acounterfeit product to which no wireless tag 5 is provided, it is notpossible to perform checking with any second component ID, since it isnot possible to read out any first component ID from the side of thecomponent 4. Accordingly, the checking means 4 reaches a decision ofnon-agreement. And in the latter case, in other words in the case of acounterfeit product to which a wireless tag 5 is provided in which acorrect component ID is not written, again the checking means 4 reachesa decision of non-agreement, since the first component ID which has beenread out from the counterfeit product or the like does not agree withany second component ID which is stored in the component ID storagemeans 1C.

It should be understood that the possibility must also be consideredthat, in the case of a higher class counterfeit product, a wireless tagmay be provided in which is written a first component ID which is thesame as a genuine first component ID. In other words, sometimes agenuine wireless tag 5 is itself illegally copied in its entirety. As acountermeasure in this case, there may be suggested the method ofchecking the first component ID of a component 4 once it has been used,and of deleting from the component ID storage means 1C the firstcomponent ID which is the same as that first component ID which has beenused.

With this embodiment having the above structure, it is possible todecide whether a component 4 which is mounted to the working machine isa genuine component or not when the time for component exchange arrivesor actuation of the engine switch is performed, and, if some component 4other than a genuine component is installed, to emit a warning, or toprohibit starting of the engine 2D, or to limit the output of the engine2D. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the usage of any counterfeitproduct or the like other than a genuine component, and thereby toprevent deterioration of the performance or the life of the workingmachine 2, so that it is possible to maintain the reliability of theworking machine 2.

In this embodiment it is possible to manage, with this working machinemanagement device 1, whether a plurality of components 4 which are usedupon a plurality of working machines 2 are genuine components or not, ina unified manner. Accordingly, it is possible to monitor groups ofcomponents for a plurality of working machines 2 each in an appropriatemanner, only by maintaining the contents stored in the component IDstorage means in its newest state.

In this embodiment, it is possible to transmit update data for thesecond component IDs from the component supply management apparatus 3 tothe working machine management device 1, and thereby to update theinformation related to the second component IDs stored in the componentID storage means 1C. Accordingly, it is possible to update the contentsstored in the component ID storage means 1C before fitting a component 4to the working machine 2, so that it is possible to monitor thecomponents 4 in an appropriate manner. In the following, this embodimentwill be described in detail.

Embodiment One

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be explained. FIG.2 is an overall system diagram. As shown in FIG. 1, the componentmonitoring system for a working machine according to this embodimentmay, for example, comprise one or a plurality of working machines 10, amanagement center 11, a component supply factory 12, a communicationnetwork 13, a communication satellite 14, a GPS (Global PositioningSystem) satellite 15, and so on.

As the working machines 10, for example, working machines such ashydraulic shovels, wheel loaders, bulldozers, motor graders, cranes andthe like, haulage vehicles such as dump trucks or the like, or varioustypes of industrial machines such as crushers or generators or the likemay be suggested. To each of these working machines 10 there is mounteda machine management device 10A, which collects various types of stateof the working machine 10 periodically or at indeterminate times, andtransmits this information to the management center 11. The details ofthese machine management devices 10A will be described in detailhereinafter in connection with FIG. 3; each of the machine managementdevices 10A is capable of mutual communication with the managementcenter 11 via the communication satellite 14 and the communicationnetwork 13. Moreover, the machine management devices 10A ascertain theirown current positions by receiving radio waves from the GPS satellites15. It should be understood that it would also be acceptable to connecttogether the machine management devices 10A and the management center 11via some other communication network, such as via a mobile communicationnetwork or the public telephone circuit net or the like.

The management center 11 manages the various working machines 10 in aunified manner. A management server 11A of the management server 11ascertains and manages the states of the working machines 10 bycommunicating with the machine management devices 10A of the workingmachines 10. Moreover, the management server 11A manages informationsuch as the product numbers and the manufacturing serial numbers and soon, which are notified from the component supply management server 12A,in a unified manner, and monitors, for each of the working machines 10,whether the components 16 which are being used are genuine components ornot.

The management server 11A has a component ID management table T1. Thestructure of this component ID management table T1 will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 6. This component ID management tableT1 is updated with the data which is sent, periodically or atindeterminate intervals, from the component supply management server12A.

The component supply factory 12 produces and supplies various types ofcomponents which are used by the working machines 10. As such components16, engine components which are used by engines, components such ashydraulic components which are used by hydraulic control circuits, andcomponents such as electronic equipment and the like which are used byelectrical control circuits, may be cited. It should be understood thatalthough, in the following explanation, as a component 16, thedescription focuses upon a fuel filter 170 (refer to FIG. 3), thepresent invention may be applied to various types of components whichare used for the working machines 10.

The component supply management server 12A of the component supplyfactory 12 manages various types of information related to thecomponents 16 which are manufactured. This information which is thusmanaged may include, for example, product numbers, manufacturing serialnumbers, numbers manufactured, manufacturing lot numbers, types ofapplicable devices, delivery dates, client names, unit prices, productquality data, and the like.

A tag issue system 12B is connected to the component supply managementserver 12A. This tag issue system 12B issues wireless tags 17 which areprovided to the components 16. The tag issue system 12B may, forexample, write the product numbers and the manufacturing serial numbersand so on of the components 16 into the wireless tags 17. The wirelesstags 17 upon which the product numbers and so on have been written areaffixed to the components 16, and are shipped together with thecomponents 16.

The component supply management server 12A is connected via thecommunication network 13 to the management server 11A of the managementcenter 11, so as to be capable of mutual communication therewith. Andperiodically, or at indeterminate intervals, the component supplymanagement server 12A transmits the information which is written uponthe wireless tags 17, such as product numbers and manufacturing serialnumbers and so on, to the management server 11A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of a workingmachine 10. In FIG. 3, the structure of an engine system which comprisesa fuel tank 150, an engine 160, a fuel pump 180 and so on, and thestructure of a control system which comprises controllers 100 and 110and so on, are both shown. A first control system will now be explained.

The working machine 10 may, for example, comprise an electroniccontroller 100, a communication controller 110, a GPS sensor 121, asatellite communication terminal 122, a UI (User Interface) unit 130, aplurality of sensors 140 through 142, and a service meter 143. All orsome of these various units may be mutually connected together via oneor a plurality of in-vehicle networks. Furthermore it may also bearranged to collect together a plurality of functions or circuits intoone, as for example by integrating together the electronic controller100 and the communication controller 110. It should be understood thatthe electronic controller 100, the communication controller 110, thevarious sensors 140 through 142, and the service meter 143 and so onconstitute the machine management device 10A.

The communication controller 110, the UI unit 130, the various sensorgroups 140 through 142, the service meter 143, an engine starter 161,and an engine switch 162 may be connected to the electronic controller100.

A reader/writer 140 is a device for performing reading out and writingof information to and from the wireless tag 17. The details of thereader/writer 140 and of a wireless tag 17 will be explained hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 4. A component exchange switch 141 is a sensorfor detecting component exchange, and detects whether or not a component16 has been exchanged. For example, this component exchange switch 141may be constituted by a sensor such as a mechanical switch, a proximityswitch, a photoelectric switch or the like. The component exchangeswitch 141 detects whether or not the component 16 is fitted to theworking machine 10. For example, this component exchange switch 141 mayoutput a signal in the ON state when a component 16 is present in apredetermined fitting location on the working machine 10, and may outputa signal in the OFF state when no component 16 is present in thepredetermined fitting location. Due to this if, after it has beendetected that a component 16 has been removed, subsequently it has beendetected that a component 16 has been installed, then it is possible todecide that the component 16 has been exchanged.

As the other sensor group 142, for example, an engine rotational speedsensor, a battery voltage sensor, a cooling water temperature sensor orthe like may be cited. The service meter 143 is a device which measuresand outputs the operating time of the working machine 10.

The electronic controller 100 is built as a computer device whichincludes a processor and memory and so on, and controls reading andwriting of data from and to the wireless tag 17. This electroniccontroller is able to generate information which specifies the operatingtime period, the engine rotational speed, the battery voltage, theamount of fuel, the cooling water temperature and so on, as detected bythe sensor group described above, and is able to transmit thisinformation to the communication controller 110. This information whichspecifies the various states and operations of the working machine 10operating time period, such as the operating time period and the enginerotational speed and so on, will be generically termed the “operatinginformation”. This operating information is transmitted to themanagement server 11A periodically, such as, for example, once per dayor the like. Moreover, if a specified event is detected, thisinformation may be transmitted from the machine management device 10A tothe management server 11A. The machine management device 10A transmitsthe first component ID and the product number information and so onwhich have been read out from the wireless tag 17 to the managementserver 11 a, at the time for periodically transmitting the operatinginformation, or when the component 16 is exchanged.

The communication system of the working machine 10 will now beexplained. The GPS sensor 121 comprises a GPS antenna 121A for receivingradio waves from the GPS satellites 15. This GPS sensor 121 measures thecurrent position of the working machine 10, and notifies it to thecommunication controller 110. And the satellite communication terminal122 comprises a satellite communication antenna 122A for communicationwith the communication satellite 14. This satellite communicationterminal 122 enables communication between the communication controller110 and the management server 11A via the satellite communicationnetwork. It should be understood that the system is not to be consideredas being limited to the satellite communication network; it would alsobe possible, for example, to establish connection between thecommunication controller 110 and the management server 11A via a mobiletelephone network.

The communication controller 110 controls communication with themanagement server 11A. This communication controller 110 receives theoperating information and so on from the electronic controller 100.Moreover, the communication controller 110 receives position informationfrom the GPS sensor 121 which specifies the current position. Thecommunication controller 110 transmits this operating information andposition information to the management server 11A via the satellitecommunication terminal 122 and the satellite communication circuit,periodically or at indeterminate intervals. For example, thecommunication controller 110 may transmit the operating information andthe position information to the management server 11A once a day, in thetime slot when the workplace tasks have ended.

The communication controller 110 may include a rewritable non-volatilestorage device 111. For example, the chassis number of the workingmachine 10, the user name, the operating time period, the workingregion, the operating history of the working machine 10 and so on may bestored in this storage device 111. The working region is a specifiedregion in which the operation of the working machine 10 is permitted.

The UI unit 130 may, for example, be provided in the vicinity of thedriver's seat of the working machine 10. This UI unit 130 may, forexample, include an output unit and an input unit. As the output unit,for example, a display device or an audio output device or the like maybe suggested. And, as the input unit, for example, keyboard switches, apointing device, a microphone or the like may be suggested. If somecomponent 16 has been judged by the management server 11A as not being agenuine component, then the UI unit 130 outputs a warning message as adisplay or by audio.

The engine system of the working machine 10 will now be explained in asimple manner. The fuel tank 150 is a device which stores fuel. The fuelfilter 170 is a device for eliminating dirt, dust, moisture, and so onfrom the fuel stored in the fuel tank 150. The fuel pump 180 suppliesfuel filtered by the fuel filter 170 to the engine 160. As will bedescribed hereinafter in connection with FIG. 5, a plurality of fuelfilters 170 having different filter diameters may be provided in thefuel supply path.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the reader/writer 140and of a wireless tag 17. The reader/writer 140 may, for example,comprise an antenna 140A, a wireless interface unit 140B, a control unit140C, and an external interface unit 140D. In the figure, “interface” isabbreviated as “I/F”.

The antenna 140 a is fitted to the working machine 10 so as to bepositioned in the vicinity of an antenna 17A of the component 16. Andthe wireless interface unit 140B is a circuit for performingcommunication with the wireless tag 17 via the antenna 140A.

Here, if the wireless tag 17 is built as an RFID tag, then, for example,a comparatively low frequency such as 125 KHz or 13.56 MHz may beselected. In the case of 125 KHz, the distance over which communicationis possible between the wireless tag 17 and the antenna 140 is 4.about.5cm, while, in the case of 13.56 MHz, the distance over whichcommunication is possible is around 10 cm. While a higher frequency suchas 950 MHz or 2.45 GHz may also be used, the higher the frequencybecomes, the longer does the straight line transmission distance of theradio waves become. Accordingly it is considered that it is moreadvantageous to utilize a low frequency in a location such as an enginecompartment which has a complicated shape in which various metalliccomponents are disposed. Naturally, the above description related to theselection of frequency is not to be considered as being limitative ofthe scope of the Claims of this application, and does not exert anyinfluence upon the scope of the rights of the present invention.Moreover, in a case in which a high frequency such as 950 MHz can beused, it would also be acceptable to utilize this high frequency.

The control unit 140C controls the operation of the reader/writer 140.The external interface unit 140D is a circuit which is in charge ofcommunication with the electronic controller 100, which is an externalsystem. The control unit 140C receives read commands or write commandsfrom the electronic controller 100 via the external interface unit 140D.If a read out command has been received, then the control unit 140Creads out the information which is stored in the wireless tag 17 via thewireless interface unit 140B and the antenna 140A, and transfers thisinformation which has been read out to the electronic controller 100.And, if a write command has been received, then the control unit 140Ctransmits this information to the wireless tag 17 via the wirelessinterface unit 140B and the antenna 140A, and writes it into the storageunit 17D in the wireless tag 17. It should be understood that, if noinformation is to be written into the wireless tags 17, it would also beacceptable to arrange to use a dedicated reader device, instead of usingthe reader/writer 140.

Now the structure of the wireless tag 17 will be explained. Thiswireless tag may, for example, comprise the antenna 17A, a wirelessinterface unit 17B, a control unit 17C, and a storage unit 17D. Theantenna 17A receives the radio waves generated from the antenna 140A ofthe reader/writer 140, and also transmits radio waves towards theantenna 140A. The wireless interface unit 17B is a circuit which is incharge of wireless communication with the reader/writer 140. The controlunit 17C controls the operation of the wireless tag 17. And the storageunit 17D consists of a rewritable non-volatile memory such as, forexample, a flash memory or the like.

The structure of the data which is stored in this storage unit 17D isschematically shown at the lower side of FIG. 4. In the storage unit17D, for example, there may be provided a system area 17D1 of aroundseveral tens of bytes, and a user area 17D2 of from several hundreds toseveral thousands of bytes. A unique ID or the like for specifying eachwireless tag 17 uniquely may, for example, be stored in the system area17D1. In principle, this system area 17D1 cannot be rewritten by thereader/writer 140.

The user area 17D2 is a storage region which can be utilized by the userwho is using the wireless tag 17. In the case of this embodiment, theuser who utilizes this user area 17D2 is the vendor of the workingmachine 10. In this user area 17D2, for example, the product number andthe serial number and the like may be stored. The product number isinformation for specifying the kind of component that the component 16is. And the serial number is a manufacturing serial number for thecomponent 16, and is identification information for uniquely specifyingeach of the components 16 within the same component type. The data inthis user area 17D2 can be rewritten by the reader/writer 140.

The operation of this wireless tag 17 will now be explained. When aradio wave which includes a control signal is emanated from the antenna140A of the reader/writer 140, then this radio wave is received by theantenna 17 a. The wireless interface unit 17B converts this radio wavereceived from the reader/writer 140 into a power supply voltage byutilizing, for example, electromagnetic induction or the like. And thecontrol unit 17C accesses the storage unit 17D on the basis of thecontrol signal which is included in the radio wave received from thereader/writer 140, and performs reading out of data therefrom or writingof data thereinto. It should be understood that it would also beacceptable to equip the wireless tag 17 with an individual power supplylike, for example, a compact battery or a thermoelectric conversionelement or the like.

FIG. 5 is a figure showing a situation in which communication isperformed with a plurality of fuel filters 170, which are taken ascomponents 16. While the fundamental structure of the reader/writer 140and of a wireless tag 17 has been explained with reference to FIG. 4, itis possible for the reader/writer 140 to perform wireless communicationwith each of a plurality of wireless tags 17, as shown in FIG. 5.

A plurality of fuel filters 170 are attached to the engine 160 ascomponents 16. A plurality of filter fitting portions 171 are providedto the engine 160, and a fuel filter 170 may be fitted to each of thesefilter fitting portions 171 so as to be attachable and detachable. Acomponent exchange switch 141 for detecting the installation of a fuelfilter 170 is provided in the neighborhood of each of the filter fittingportions 171.

Each of the filters 170 is provided with its own wireless tag 17, inwhich its product number and serial number and so on are stored. Aplurality of antennas 140A, which correspond to the wireless tags 17 areprovided so as to be positioned in the neighborhood of the wireless tags17. Each of these antennas 140A is connected to a multiplexer 190, andthe multiplexer 190 is connected to the reader/writer 140. Thereader/writer 140 can exchange signals with each of the wireless tags17, while changing over between the plurality of antennas 140A in orderby using the multiplexer 190.

If a plurality of wireless tags 17 are positioned within the range inwhich signals can be exchanged with one antenna 140A, then it ispossible to exchange signals with this plurality of wireless tags 17with this one antenna 140A.

FIG. 6 shows the component ID management table T1. This component IDmanagement table corresponds to the component ID storage means 1C of theClaims, and is stored in the management server 11A. This component IDmanagement table T1 may, for example, include a product numbermanagement portion T11, a serial number management portion T12, and achassis number management section T13.

The product number management section T11 manages the product numbers ofthe components 16 which are used with the working machine 10. The serialnumber management section T12 manages the serial numbers of thecomponents 16 which have been manufactured for these product numbers.Thus, a plurality of serial numbers are put into correspondence with oneproduct number. And the chassis number management section T13 managesthe chassis numbers. A chassis number is identification information foridentifying the corresponding working machine, and these are put intocorrespondence with the serial numbers.

At the time point that a component 16 is shipped from the componentsupply factory 12, it is not possible to put any chassis number intocorrespondence with the serial number of this component 16, since thiscomponent 16 is not yet fitted to any one of the working machines 10.Accordingly, in FIG. 6, “unused” is displayed as the chassis number forthe components 16 which have not yet been fitted to any of the workingmachines 10. It should be understood that this display of “unused” isfor the convenience of explanation. Actually, if no chassis number isset in the field for chassis number, then it is understood that this isa component 16 which has a serial number that does not yet correspond toany chassis number. When a component 16 is fitted to a working machine10, then the chassis number of this working machine 10 to which thecomponent is fitted is set into correspondence with the serial number ofthis component.

FIG. 7 shows the functional structure of the component supply managementserver 12A. This component supply management server 12A may, forexample, comprise a communication control unit 200, a calculationprocessing unit 210, and a storage unit 220.

The communication control unit 200 controls communication via thecommunication network 13 with the management server 11A of themanagement center 11. This calculation processing unit 210 executesprocessing and so on for managing component groups which have beenmanufactured by executing a program which is stored in the storage unit220. In the storage unit 220, there are stored a program storage unit221 which stores the program which is executed by the calculationprocessing unit 210, and a component management data base 222 and so on.

The calculation processing unit 210, for example, may execute each ofcomponent management processing 211, component ID writing processing212, and component ID transfer processing 213. This component managementprocessing 211 is processing for managing component groups which aremanufactured by and shipped from the component supply factory 12. Thecomponent ID writing processing 212 is processing for writing theproduct number and serial number and so on upon a wireless tag 17 viathe reader/writer 230. And the component ID transfer processing 213 isprocessing for transmitting the product numbers and serial numbers andso on of a component group which has been shipped to the managementserver 11A of the management center 11.

The reader/writer 230 at the lower side of FIG. 7 writes a component IDupon the wireless tag 17 via the antenna 230A. In this component IDthere may be included, for example, the product number and the serialnumber. And the reader/writer 230 includes, not only the component IDwriting processing 212, but also the tag issue system 12B in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 shows the functional structure of the management server 11A ofthe management center 11. This management server 11A may, for example,comprise a communication control unit 300 which controls communicationvia the communication network 13, a calculation processing unit 310 forprocessing information which is transmitted and received via thecommunication control unit 300, and a storage unit 320 which consists ofa semiconductor memory or a hard disk device or the like.

In the storage unit 320, there are stored a program storage unit 321 inwhich various types of computer program executed by the calculationprocessing unit 310 are stored, and a vehicle body management data base322 and the component ID management table T1 and so on. The vehicle bodymanagement data base 322 is a data structure for managing the operatinginformation for the working machines 10 and their position informationand so on.

With the various types of computer program described above, thecalculation processing unit 310 executes each of component ID receptionprocessing 311, component ID updating processing 312, componentmonitoring processing 313, operating information reception processing314, and vehicle body management processing 315.

The component ID reception processing 311 is processing for receivingcomponent IDs from the component supply management server 12A via thecommunication network 13. And the component ID updating processing 312is processing for updating the component ID management table T1 which isstored in the storage unit 320, on the basis of the component IDs whichhave been received from the component supply management server 12A. Forexample, product numbers and/or serial numbers which have been newlyissued may be stored, and product numbers and/or serial numbers whichhave become disused may be deleted.

The component monitoring processing 313 is processing for checking thefirst component IDs which have been sent from each of the workingmachines 10 and the second component IDs which are stored in thecomponent ID management table T1, and for monitoring whether or not theyagree with one another. In this component monitoring processing 313, ifa first component ID does not agree with any second component ID, thenthe occurrence of an abnormal state is notified to the machinemanagement device 10A.

The operating information reception processing 314 is processing forreceiving the operating information for each of the working machines 10which is transmitted from the machine management device 10A. And thevehicle body management processing 315 is processing for managing thestates and the positions of the various working machines 10, on thebasis of the operating information.

FIG. 9 shows the processing for updating the component ID managementtable T1 which is stored in the management server 11A with data from thesupply management server 12A. In the figure, “step” is abbreviated as“S”.

The supply management server 12A makes a decision as to whether or notany component ID has been updated (a step S10). The component supplyfactory 12 manufactures and ships new components 16 every day. Productnumbers and serial numbers and so on are set for the components 16 whichare shipped. Due to this, new component IDs are created. If a componentID has been updated (YES in the step S10), then the component supplymanagement server 12A transmits update date for the component IDs to themanagement server 11A (a step S11). By update data is meant data forupdating the component ID management table T1 to its newest state, and,finally, this is differential data for the component ID management tableT1 which is transmitted to the management server 11A.

If the management server 11A receives update data for the component IDsfrom the component supply management server 12A (YES in the step S12),then it updates the component ID management table T1 according to thisupdate data (a step S13). By doing this, the management server 11A isable to keep the contents stored in the component ID management table T1at the newest contents.

Here by updating of the component ID management table T1 is meant,adding the update data which has been received from the component supplymanagement server 12A to the component ID management table T1, and alsosetting the chassis numbers which correspond to this update data to“unused”. In other words, since product numbers and serial numbersrelating to newly produced components 16 which are being shipped areboth included in the update data, accordingly these product numbers andserial numbers are added to the component ID management table. At thistime point, since these newly produced components 16 have not yet beenfitted to any working machine 10, accordingly no correspondence isestablished between their manufacturing serial numbers and any chassisnumbers.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing for monitoring componentsof the working machine 11A by the management server 11A. This processingis executed by the management server 11A and the electronic controller100 as a cooperative task.

First, by reading in the detection signal from the component exchangeswitches 141, the electronic controller 100 decides whether or not anycomponent 16 (for example, a fuel filter 170) has been exchanged (a stepS20). For example if, after a fuel filter 170 has been temporarilyremoved from one of the filter fitting portions 171, a new fuel filter170 has been fitted to that filter fitting portion 171, then it ispossible to decide that one of the fuel filters 170 has been exchanged.

If exchange of some component 16 has been detected (YES in the stepS20), then the electronic controller 100 reads in, via the reader/writer140, the product number from the wireless tag 17 with which thiscomponent 16 is equipped (a step S21). And the electronic controller 100transmits this product number which has been read in, and the chassisnumber, to the management server 11A (a step S22).

It should be understood that it would be possible to suggest a pluralityof methods as the method for the electronic controller 100 to transmitthe product number and the chassis number to the management server 11A.A first method is the case of transmitting the product number and thechassis number to the management server 11A simultaneously with exchangeof the component 16. A second method is the method of transmitting theproduct number and the chassis number to the management server 11A atthe time that the operating information is transmitted. Any other methodmight also be employed. It would also be acceptable to arrange toprovide a structure in which the timing for transmission of the productnumber and the chassis number from the electronic controller 100 to themanagement server 11A is varied according to the type of the electroniccomponent 16.

Upon receipt of the product number and the chassis number from theworking machine 10 (a step S23), the management server 11A searches thecomponent ID management table T1 with this product number which has beenreceived (a step S24). And the management server 11A makes a decision asto whether or not the product number which has been received from theworking machine 10 has been found from the component ID management tableT1 (a step S25). In other words, the management server 11A makes adecision as to whether or not a product number is present in thecomponent ID management table T1 which agrees with the product numberwhich has been received from the working machine 10.

If the product number which has been received from the working machine10 has been found from the component ID management table T1 (YES in thestep S25), then the management server 11A stores the chassis numberwhich has been received from the working machine 10 in the component IDmanagement table T1 in correspondence with the serial number of thecomponent 16 which has been exchanged (a step S26). By contrast, if ithas not been possible to find the product number which has been receivedfrom the working machine 10 from the component ID management table T1(NO in the step S25), then the management server 11A outputs a warningsignal to the electronic controller 100 (a step S27). This is becausethe product number which has been received from the working machine 10does not agree with any one of the product numbers which are registeredin the component ID management table T1.

Upon receipt of a warning signal from the management server 11A (YES inthe step S28), the electronic controller 100 issues a warning to theuser (a step S31). This warning is provided by outputting, via the UIunit 130, a message such as, for example, “The fuel filter which hasbeen exchanged is not a genuine component. Please exchange it for agenuine component.” or the like. In this case, the user is the personwho has exchanged the component of the working machine 10, or the like.

As has been described in detail above, in this embodiment, it ispossible for the management server 11A to decide whether or not acomponent 16 which is mounted to the working machine 10 is a genuinecomponent, at the time of component exchange. And, if it has beendecided that some component 16 other than a genuine component isinstalled, then, for example, it is possible to notify a warning messageto the user. Accordingly, it is possible to issue a warning to the userwith regard to the use of a counterfeit product or the like. Due tothis, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of claims, and it ispossible to maintain the reliability of the working machine 10.

And, in this embodiment, a decision is made as to whether or not theproduct number which has been written into the wireless tag 17 is agenuine product number, at the time that the component 16 is exchanged.Accordingly, it is possible to decide whether or not just that component16 which has been exchanged is a genuine component or not, directly atthe time point of that exchange. Due to this, it is possible to detectwhether or not this component is a genuine component at an early stage,with a comparatively simple control structure.

Moreover, in this embodiment, whether a plurality of components 16 whichare used with a plurality of working machines 10 are genuine componentsor not, is managed by the management server 11A in a unified manner.Accordingly, it is possible to monitor groups of components for aplurality of working machines 10 in individually appropriate manners, byonly keeping the contents stored in the component ID management table T1in the newest up to date state.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the update data is transmitted from thecomponent supply management server 12A to the management server 11A, andthe product numbers and serial numbers which are stored in the componentID management table T1 are updated. Accordingly, it is possible toupdate the contents stored in the component ID management table T1before fitting the components 16 to the working machine 10, so that itis possible to monitor the components 16 in an appropriate manner.

Embodiment Two

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method of component monitoringaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. For each ofthe following embodiments, including this embodiment, the explanationwill center upon the aspects of difference from the first embodiment. Inthis embodiment, upon receipt of a warning signal from the managementserver 11A (YES in the step S28), the electronic controller 100 of theworking machine 10 not only issues a warning to the user (a step S29),but also limits starting of the engine 160 (a step S30). It would alsobe acceptable to provide a structure in which, instead of limiting thestarting of the engine 160, its output is limited. For example, if acounterfeit product is fitted, it would be acceptable to limit theengine rotational speed to a low speed or to a medium speed.

This embodiment having the above structure provides similar advantageouseffects to those of the first embodiment. In addition thereto, sincewith this embodiment the starting of the engine is prohibited or theengine output is limited if some component 16 which is not a genuinecomponent is fitted, accordingly it is possible to prevent the workingmachine from being used in a normal manner with this inferiorcounterfeit product still installed. Accordingly, it is possible toprevent decrease of the performance of the working machine 10, and tosuppress the occurrence of claims, so that it is possible to maintainthe reliability of the working machine 10.

Embodiment Three

A third embodiment will now be explained on the basis of FIG. 12. Inthis embodiment, when the engine switch 162 is actuated, a decision ismade as to whether genuine components are being used or not. FIG. 12shows the component monitoring processing which is executed by thecomponent monitoring system for a working machine according to thisembodiment.

In this embodiment, the electronic controller decides whether or not theengine switch 162 has been actuated (a step S20A). And, if the engineswitch 162 is being actuated (YES in the step S20A), then the electroniccontroller 100 reads in the various product numbers of the components 16from their wireless tags 17 via the reader/writer 140 (a step S21), andtransmits these product numbers and the chassis number to the managementserver 11A (a step S22).

Upon receipt of the product numbers and the chassis number (a step S23),the management server 11A searches the component ID management table T1with the product numbers which have been received from the workingmachine 10 (a step S24), and makes a decision as to whether or not theproduct numbers which have been received can be found from the componentID management table T1 (a step S25). And, if it is not possible to findsome product number which has been received from the component IDmanagement table T1 (NO in the step S25), then a warning signal isoutputted to the electronic controller 100 of the working machine 10 (astep S27).

This embodiment having the above structure also provides similaradvantageous effects to those of the first embodiment. In additionthereto, with this embodiment, each time the starting of the engine isrequested, it is possible to test whether not each component is genuine,so that it is possible to enhance the reliability.

Embodiment Four

A fourth embodiment will now be described on the basis of FIGS. 13through 15. In this embodiment, the product number and the serial numberare checked at the time of component exchange, and moreover a serialnumber is deleted from the component ID management table T1 once thecomponent has been used.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the component monitoring processingwhich is executed by the component monitoring system according to thisembodiment. The electronic controller 100 makes a decision as to whetheror not any component has been exchanged (a step S50).

If some component has been exchanged (YES in the step S50), then theelectronic controller 100 reads in the product numbers and the serialnumbers from the wireless tags 17 via the reader/writer 140 (a stepS51). And the electronic controller 100 transmits the product number andthe serial number which correspond to that component 16 which has beenexchanged to the management server 11A (a step S52). It should beunderstood that, when thus transmitting the product number and theserial number, the electronic controller 100 transmits them togetherwith the chassis number.

And, upon receipt of the product number and the serial number from theelectronic controller 100 (a step S53), the management server 11Asearches the component ID management table T1 with the product numberwhich has been received (a step S54).

The management server 11A then makes a decision as to whether or not ithas been possible to find the product number which has been receivedfrom the component ID management table T1 (a step S55). And, if it hasbeen possible to find the product number which has been received fromthe component ID management table T1 (YES in the step S55), then themanagement server 11A searches the component ID management table T1 withthe serial number which was received in the step S53 (a step S56). Here,it is not necessary to search the entire component ID management tableT1; it is sufficient only to search entries in the component IDmanagement table T1 having the matching product number.

If the serial number which is stored in the wireless tag 17 (in otherwords the serial number which was received in the step S53) isregistered in the component ID management table T1 (YES in the stepS57), then the management server 11A deletes that serial number from thecomponent ID management table T1 (a step S58). Moreover, the managementserver 11A stores the chassis number in the component ID managementtable T1 (a step S59). It should be understood that, in this embodiment,the chassis number is not used in the decision as to whether a componentis genuine or not. In FIG. 15, a situation is shown in which certainserial numbers which have been utilized are deleted from the componentID management table T1.

By contrast, if it has not been possible to find the product numberwhich has been received in the step S53 from the component ID managementtable T1 (NO in the step S55), then, since it is considered that thecomponent 16 which has been exchanged is a counterfeit product,accordingly the management server 11A transmits a warning signal to theelectronic controller 100 (a step S60).

If, even though the product number which was received in the step S53 isstored in the component ID management table T1, the serial number whichwas received in the step S53 is not registered in the component IDmanagement table T1 (NO in the step S57), then the management server 11Aoutputs a warning signal (a step S60), since it is considered that thisis a counterfeit product having a wireless tag 17 which has beenillegally copied.

When, as described above, a component 16 which is new production hasbeen installed to the working machine 10, then the serial number of thiscomponent 16 is deleted from the component ID management table T1. If awireless tag 17 possessed by some component 16 is illegally copied inthe course of the trade process, and this illegally copied wireless tag17 has been attached to a counterfeit product, then the decision in thestep S57 is “NO” since the serial number of this counterfeit product isdeleted from the component ID management table T1, and accordingly awarning signal is outputted (in the step S60).

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing for updating thecomponent ID management table T1. This flow chart includes steps (S10through S13) which are common with the flow chart shown in FIG. 9. Toomit the explanation of these common steps and only explain the stepswhich are characteristic of this embodiment, the management server 11Adecides whether or not to perform updating of the component IDs on thebasis of the results of checking the product numbers and serial numbers(a step S14).

In other words, a decision is made as to whether or not the deletion inthe step S58 of FIG. 13 of the serial number which has been utilized hasbeen confirmed. If the deletion of the serial number which has beenutilized is confirmed (YES in the step S14), then the management server11A deletes this serial number which has been utilized from thecomponent ID management table T1 (a step S15).

This embodiment having the above structure provides similar advantageouseffects to those of the first embodiment. In addition thereto, sincewith this embodiment the serial number of a component 16 is deleted fromthe component ID management table T1 as soon as it has once been used,accordingly it is possible to prevent the usage of a counterfeit producthaving a wireless tag 17 which has been illegally copied, before it evenhappens. For example, in the case of a malicious user, it is consideredthat he may purchase only one genuine component, and then may copy thecontents stored in the wireless tag 17 which is attached to the genuinecomponent. This would be because, by thus attaching a wireless tag whichhas been illegally copied to a counterfeit product, it would be possibleto reduce the maintenance cost by using counterfeit products from thenon. However in this embodiment it is possible to eliminate this type ofillegal action, since a serial number which has been already used isdeleted from the component ID management table T1.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a wirelesstag 17 which has been illegally copied being used with a differentworking machine 10, since the component ID management table T1 ismanaged by the management server 11A, and a serial number which has beenused by any one of the working machines 10 is deleted from the componentID management table T1, and accordingly it is possible to enhance thereliability and the convenience of use.

Embodiment Five

A fifth embodiment will now be explained on the basis of FIG. 16. Inthis embodiment, the product numbers, serial numbers, and chassis numberare confirmed when the engine switch is actuated, and moreover, if nochassis number is yet set, then the chassis number is set.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the component monitoring processingaccording to this embodiment. The electronic controller 100 takes theopportunity presented by operation of the engine switch 162 to read inthe product number and the serial number of each of the components 16,and to transmit them to the management server 11A. The processingperformed by the electronic controller 100 is the same as the steps S50through S52 shown in FIG. 13, and accordingly is omitted from the figurefor the sake of convenience.

Upon receipt of the product number and the serial number of eachcomponent 16 from the electronic controller 100 (a step S70), themanagement server 11A searches the component ID management table T1 withthese product numbers which have been received (a step S71). And themanagement server 11A decides, for each of the components 16, whether ornot its product number which was received in the step S70 can be foundfrom the component ID management table T1 (a step S72).

If every one of the product numbers which was received in the step S70agrees with some one of the product numbers stored in the component IDmanagement table T1 (YES in the step S72), then the management server11A searches the component ID management table T1A with the serialnumbers which were received in the step S70 (a step S73). And themanagement server 11A decides whether or not the serial number which isstored in each of the wireless tags 17 is registered in the component IDmanagement table T1 (a step S74).

If a serial number which is stored in a wireless tag 17 is registered inthe component ID management table T1 (YES in the step S74), then themanagement server 11A makes a decision as to whether or not a chassisnumber is set for this serial number (a step S75). By a chassis numberbeing set for this serial number, is meant that a chassis number isstored in correspondence with this serial number in the component IDmanagement table T1.

If this is a genuine newly produced component, then no chassis numberwill correspond to it. Thus, if no chassis number is set incorrespondence with this serial number (YES in the step S75), then themanagement server 11A sets the chassis number into the component IDmanagement table T1 (a step S76).

On the other hand, if some product number which was received in the stepS70 does not correspond to any of the product numbers which are storedin the component ID management table T1 (NO in the step S72), then,since the component for which the product number does not agree is acounterfeit product, accordingly the management server 11A outputs awarning signal to the electronic controller 100 (a step S78), thusissuing a warning to the user.

And if a chassis number is set (NO in the step S75), then the managementserver 11A makes a decision as to whether or not the chassis numberwhich was received in the step S70 and the chassis number which isstored in the component ID management table T1 agree with one another (astep S77). If these two chassis numbers agree with one another (YES inthe step S77), then the management server 11A terminates thisprocessing, since this is the case in which a genuine component 16 whichwas initially installed upon the working machine 10 is being used justas it is.

By contrast, if the two chassis numbers do not agree with one another(NO in the step S77), then it is considered that a counterfeit producthaving a wireless tag which has been illegally copied is being used.Thus, the management server 11A transmits a warning signal to theelectronic controller 100. In other words, in this embodiment, if thesame product number and serial number have been transmitted to themanagement server from different working machines 10, then the chassisnumbers are investigated. And a warning signal is transmitted to theelectronic controller 100 of that working machine 10 which has a chassisnumber which is different from the chassis number which is registered inthe component ID management table T1.

This embodiment having the above structure provides similar advantageouseffects to those of the first embodiment. In addition thereto, with thisembodiment, in a similar way to the case with the fourth embodiment, itis possible to prevent the usage of a counterfeit product having awireless tag 17 which has been illegally copied, before it even happens.

It should be understood that the embodiments described above are onlygiven by way of example for explanation of the present invention, andare not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.The present invention may be implemented in various manners other thanthose shown in the embodiments described above, provided that its gistis not deviated from.

1. A system for monitoring a component which can be exchangeably mountedto a working machine, comprising a control device which is provided tosaid working machine, and a management device which is connected to saidcontrol device via a communication network so as to be capable of mutualcommunication therewith, wherein: a wireless tag, in which firstcomponent identification information for identifying this component isstored, is provided in advance to said component; said control devicecomprises: a checking timing detection means for detecting whether ornot a checking timing, which has been set in advance, has arrived; and acomponent identification information acquisition means which, if saidchecking timing has arrived, acquires said first componentidentification information from said wireless tag via an informationreading means, and transmits said first component identificationinformation which has been acquired to said management device via saidcommunication network; and said management device comprises: a componentinformation management means for managing second componentidentification information related to genuine components; a componentmonitoring means which decides whether said first componentidentification information which has been received from said controldevice and said second component identification information which ismanaged by said component information management means agree with oneanother or not, and which, if said first component identificationinformation and said second component identification information do notagree with one another, outputs a decision result to the effect ofnon-agreement; and an updating means which, if it has been decided bysaid component monitoring means that said first component identificationinformation and said second component identification information agreewith one another, updates the contents stored in said componentinformation management means so that said second componentidentification information, for which this agreement has been decided,is not re-used by said component monitoring means.
 2. The componentmonitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, whereinsaid checking timing detection means detects said checking timing ifeither said component is exchanged, or starting of said engine isrequested.
 3. The component monitoring system for a working machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said control device comprises an abnormalstate control means which acquires said decision result to the effect ofnon-agreement from said management device, and outputs abnormal statedetection information on the basis of this decision result which hasbeen acquired.
 4. The component monitoring system for a working machineaccording to claim 1, wherein: a product number information item forspecifying the type of said component is included in said first andsecond component identification information; and said componentmonitoring means checks the product number information item which isincluded in said first component identification information, and theproduct number information item which is included in said secondcomponent identification information.
 5. The component monitoring systemfor a working machine according to claim 1, wherein: a product numberinformation item for specifying the type of said component, and amanufacturing serial number which is specific to said component, areincluded in said first and second component identification information;and said component monitoring means checks the product numberinformation item and the manufacturing serial number which are includedin said first component identification information, and the productnumber information item and the manufacturing serial number which areincluded in said second component identification information.
 6. Thecomponent monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1,wherein: said component identification information acquisition meanstransmits a chassis number for identifying said working machine to saidmanagement device in correspondence with said first componentidentification information; and said component information managementmeans manages said chassis number in correspondence with said secondcomponent identification information.
 7. The component monitoring systemfor a working machine according to claim 1, wherein: in said first andsecond component identification information, there are included aproduct number information item for specifying the type of saidcomponent, and a manufacturing serial number which is specific to saidcomponent; and said component monitoring means checks the product numberinformation item and the manufacturing serial number which are includedin said first component identification information, and the productnumber information item and the manufacturing serial number which areincluded in said second component identification information, and:deletes said manufacturing serial number which is included in saidsecond component identification information from said componentinformation management means via said updating means, if said productnumber information items and said manufacturing serial numbers bothagree with one another; and notifies said control device, if either saidproduct number information items or said manufacturing serial numbers donot agree with one another.
 8. The component monitoring system for aworking machine according to claim 1, wherein: in said first and secondcomponent identification information, there are included a productnumber information item for specifying the type of said component, and amanufacturing serial number which is specific to said component; andsaid component identification information acquisition means transmits achassis number for identifying said working machine to said managementdevice in correspondence with said first component identificationinformation; and said component monitoring means transmits to saidcontrol device, if any of: (1) said product number information itemincluded in said first component identification information and saidproduct number information item included in said second componentidentification information do not agree with one another; or (2) saidmanufacturing serial number included in said first componentidentification information and said manufacturing serial number includedin said second component identification information do not agree withone another; or (3) if said component information management means isholding said chassis number in correspondence with said manufacturingserial number included in said second component identificationinformation, if said chassis number which is held in correspondence withsaid manufacturing serial number included in said second componentidentification information and said chassis number corresponding to saidfirst component identification information do not agree with oneanother.
 9. The component monitoring system for a working machineaccording to claim 1, wherein: said component is a component for anengine, which is used by said engine; and said information reading meansis provided in the vicinity of said component.
 10. The componentmonitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein,when said component is supplied to said working machine, said updatingmeans updates said second component identification information which isstored in said component information management means to its neweststate by acquiring the newest second component identificationinformation related to this component which is supplied.
 11. Thecomponent monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1,wherein said abnormal state detection information is warninginformation.
 12. The component monitoring system for a working machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said abnormal state detection informationis information for limiting the operation of said working machine. 13.The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim1, wherein said abnormal state detection information is information forlimiting the output of an engine of said working machine.
 14. Amanagement device for a working machine which is connected via acommunication network to a control device provided to said workingmachine so as to be capable of mutual communication therewith, wherein:a wireless tag, in which is stored first component identificationinformation for identifying a component which can be exchangeablymounted to said working machine, is provided in advance to thiscomponent; and said first component identification information isacquired by said control device; and comprising: a component informationmanagement means for managing second component identificationinformation related to genuine components; a component monitoring meanswhich receives said first component identification information which hasbeen acquired and transmitted by said control device, decides whethersaid second component identification information which is managed bysaid component information management means and said first componentidentification information agree with one another or not, and, if saidfirst component identification information and said second componentidentification information do not agree with one another, outputs adecision result to the effect of non-agreement; and an updating meanswhich, if it has been decided by said component monitoring means thatsaid first component identification information and said secondcomponent identification information agree with one another, updates thecontents stored in said component information management means so thatsaid second component identification information, for which thisagreement has been decided, is not re-used by said component monitoringmeans.
 15. The component monitoring system for a working machineaccording to claim 2, wherein: a product number information item forspecifying the type of said component is included in said first andsecond component identification information; and said componentmonitoring means checks the product number information item which isincluded in said first component identification information, and theproduct number information item which is included in said secondcomponent identification information.
 16. The component monitoringsystem for a working machine according to claim 2, wherein: a productnumber information item for specifying the type of said component, and amanufacturing serial number which is specific to said component, areincluded in said first and second component identification information;and said component monitoring means checks the product numberinformation item and the manufacturing serial number which are includedin said first component identification information, and the productnumber information item and the manufacturing serial number which areincluded in said second component identification information.